ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused the Nigerian presidency of distorting its position on the ongoing violence against Christian communities, reaffirming its stance that the killings in parts of northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt amount to a “Christian genocide.”
In a statement issued Monday by CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the organization rejected claims that it had downplayed the severity of the attacks. The controversy followed a visit by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, to the CAN Secretariat in Abuja. Bwala reportedly sought clarification on CAN’s response to recent remarks by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who described the killings as a “Christian genocide.”
“CAN made it clear that its position on this issue has long been established and remains unchanged,” Okoh said. “Across many parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities have suffered repeated, organized and brutal attacks which have left thousands dead, villages destroyed and families displaced. These are not isolated crimes but a continuing pattern of violence that has persisted for years without justice or closure.”
CAN expressed alarm over a subsequent press release from the presidency titled “Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership,” which it said falsely portrayed Archbishop Okoh as having dismissed the genocide claims.
“That portrayal is completely false and grossly unfair,” Okoh said. “The meeting was recorded by CAN’s media team, and at no point did I use such words or express such a view. Referring to the tragedy as a ‘so-called genocide’ trivializes the pain of countless Christians who have lost loved ones, homes and places of worship in targeted attacks.”
During the meeting, Bishop Mike Akpami, CAN’s Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, presented data from the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), showing consistent and targeted attacks on Christians across several regions of Africa, including Nigeria.
CAN listed attendees at the meeting, including Archbishop Okoh; Vice President Rev. Stephen Panya Baba; General Secretary Apostle Samson Fatokun; Dean Rev. Emmanuel Nicodemus Ozumba; Legal Affairs Director Dame Comfort Otera Chigbue; Bishop Mike Akpami; Prophet Commodore Abimbola Ayuba; Rev. Dr. Simon Dolly; and Dr. Victor Ivoke, Senior Special Assistant to the CAN President.
The association clarified that Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names appeared in some media reports, were not present.
“We call on the Federal Government and security agencies to act with urgency, fairness and transparency to halt these killings and bring all perpetrators to justice,” Okoh said. “We also urge media professionals and government officials to speak with truth, empathy and responsibility, as careless words can deepen wounds and undermine peace.”
CAN emphasized that its commitment to peace does not equate to silence in the face of injustice, and that truth must guide engagement between the Church, the State, and the public.
